Georgia Engel Remembered On Betty White Instagram: “Friends Forever” – Update
Refresh for updates… “Friends Forever,” writes Betty White of her late Mary Tyler Moore Show friend and co-star Georgia Engel. White posted a photograph on Instagram of the two pals and animal lovers snuggling with a large bear.
Engel, the beloved actress from The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Everybody Loves Raymond as well as stage hits including The Drowsy Chaperone, is being remembered today by co-stars and colleagues for the big-hearted comedy style that was as unique as her personality.
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“Georgia was one of a kind – the absolute best,” White said to NBC News earlier today. Later, she posted the Instagram message (see it below).
“I am in shock,” tweeted Raymond co-star Patricia Heaton. “Georgia was an absolute angel – so dear, so sweet, so talented. God bless you Georgia!” Heaton also recalled one of her favorite Raymond episodes featuring Engel.
Engel, twice Emmy-nominated for playing Ted Baxter’s girlfriend-then-wife Georgette Franklin/Baxter on The Mary Tyler Moore and thrice-nominated for Everybody Loves Raymond, died Friday in Princeton, New Jersey. She was 70.
Bob Martin, who co-wrote (and co-starred in) Broadway’s 2006 The Drowsy Chaperone, tweeted, “I have never met anyone who was less like anyone else than Georgia Engel.”
Phil Rosenthal, Raymond‘s creator, writer and exec producer, tweeted a simple, “To our dear sweet friend, we’ll love and miss you and your brilliant talent always.”
Here is a sampling of social media reactions to Engel’s death from co-stars, colleagues and fans. Deadline will update periodically.
“Friends Forever” says it all.
A post shared by Betty White (@bettymwhite) on Apr 16, 2019 at 10:24am PDT
@GeorgiaEngel was a sweet woman and a great actress. It was a joy to work with her and she will be missed by many.
— Fred Willard (@Fred_Willard) April 16, 2019
Such sad news. I worked with Georgia on Hot In Cleveland. She was as warm and lovely as I always imagined she would be.
Georgia Engel, comic actress memorable on ‘Mary Tyler Moore Show,’ dies at 70 – The Washington Post https://t.co/RVloaEvl2d— Dave Foley (@DaveSFoley) April 16, 2019
Her talent as a comedian was only dwarfed by her caring and loving soul. Every time we had her on Hot In Cleveland she made the stage a brighter place. RIP Georgia Engel.https://t.co/EuyG9UP9ix
— Todd Milliner (@tmilliner1) April 16, 2019
We are saddened to hear about the passing of #GeorgiaEngel, a tremendous artist who gave an incredible performance in Annie Baker's #JOHN in 2017. Our thoughts are with her friends and family at this time. pic.twitter.com/ujvWIpiYQ1
— A.C.T. San Francisco (@ACTSanFrancisco) April 16, 2019
We say farewell to an incredible woman today.
Rest peacefully Georgia Engel. https://t.co/q4Zbkk23MJ— GeenaDavisInstitute (@GDIGM) April 16, 2019
A light is out, and what can we do but be grateful for what she gave us #RIPGeorgiaEngel https://t.co/04RRaFwRbP
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) April 16, 2019
Our deepest condolences go out to Ms. Georgia Engel’s family and loved ones. What a pleasure it was to have this maestro join the cast of @AnnieNBaker's John back in 2015. She will be greatly missed. pic.twitter.com/oZuBHBuCav
— Signature Theatre (@SignatureTheatr) April 16, 2019
One of my favorite episodes was where Robert catches Pat smoking – she was just brilliant!
— Patricia Heaton (@PatriciaHeaton) April 16, 2019
To our dear sweet friend, we’ll love and miss you and your brilliant talent always.https://t.co/q478u2aJXW
— Phil Rosenthal (@PhilRosenthal) April 16, 2019
I have never met anyone who was less like anyone else than Georgia Engel. #RIPGeorgiaEngel #TheDrowsyChaperone pic.twitter.com/OQHQNFIFml
— Bob Martin (@drstorper) April 16, 2019
When we performed The Drowsy Chaperone at the NAMT Festival in 2004, Georgia Engel played the dotty dowager Mrs. Tottendale, a role she would go on to play on Broadway and beyond. Her innocent, childlike delivery of the most absurd lines had the audience howling,
— Bob Martin (@drstorper) April 16, 2019
#GeorgiaEngel-a gentle Master of https://t.co/NyeYCPFehR daughter just saw her on an ep of #OneDayAtATime & not knowing who she was,asked why she got a lot of entrance https://t.co/gYfxbZpjex:“Because she’s a beloved actress who’s been making people laugh for many years.”🙏💔💫 https://t.co/1mDCnGLVqB
— Donna Murphy (@DMurphyOfficial) April 16, 2019
RIP Georgia Engel. Grew up watching her kill it on The Mary Tyler Moore Show (she was one of my mom's favorite characters) and I was genuinely delighted to see her on stage in NY a few years ago in Annie Baker's great Uncle Vanya, her layered comic acting perfectly Chekhovian.
— James Urbaniak (@JamesUrbaniak) April 16, 2019
RIP @GeorgiaEngel. Say hi to Mary & Ted, #Georgette
— Judy Gold 🇺🇸 (@JewdyGold) April 16, 2019
Georgia Engel and I met at a party in Hollywood. I told her how much I loved her in Will Eno’s Middletown. She said thanks & we struck up a friendship that lasted 10 years. We spent that evening eating cake and showing each other pictures of our cats. Rest In Peace, dear friend.
— Nick Westrate (@westratenick) April 16, 2019
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